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Shoot2thrill
Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Atlanta
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject: Gum removal |
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| I've searched the forums and may have missed it but looking for the best way for gum removal. I'm thinking just powering it off? |
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Midwestpro Site Admin
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 862 Location: Indiana
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject: Gum Removal on Concrete |
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What you want to do is perform a regular concrete cleaning like usual with the surface cleaning tool. Then go back with the wand, I like to use a 15 degree tip with about 3000psi, start working up all the gum one piece or group of pieces at a time. Use the psi's and fan pattern like a putty knife and peel the gum up. I highly recommend using hot water, it will be much more efficient and effective compared to cold water.
Just be extremely careful not to damage the concrete with too much pressure. All cement surfaces differ from one another. The materials used in the cement pour, the cement's age, environmental conditions, and deterioration rate will all vary from one slab to another.
It is vital to know when too much pressure is too much, and when to back it down a little. Maybe start with less pressure, like 2000psi or so, until you get more experienced. |
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tongyun
Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 52
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Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Is there anything that can be done to remove gum that has been on the sidewalk for years? I read that store owners in San Francisco are now responsible for cleaning their sidewalks completely and some have tried some pretty toxic chemicals to remove the goo but with no luck. |
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Midwestpro Site Admin
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 862 Location: Indiana
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Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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| The right nozzle for the correct pattern and angle are essential. And definitely hot water. Most professional concrete cleaning contractors will not use any chemicals for gum. Pressure and hot water are the keys. |
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Aries
Joined: 19 Mar 2009 Posts: 24
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Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Are you talking about chewing gum? I'm pretty sure that you can ask a janitor at a school about a chemical that removes gum from hair and clothes. I don't know what it's called, but if it works on clothes, then it would probably work on the sidewalk. |
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tongyun
Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 52
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:17 am Post subject: |
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| Midwestpro wrote: | | The right nozzle for the correct pattern and angle are essential. And definitely hot water. Most professional concrete cleaning contractors will not use any chemicals for gum. Pressure and hot water are the keys. |
I think given the current environment of going green, this is probably the best way to go. Will high pressure and hot water be enough or will it just soften the stuff so that some elbow grease is still needed? |
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Midwestpro Site Admin
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 862 Location: Indiana
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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| The right nozzle with enough pressure and hot water are enough. |
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